Making spiritual New Year’s resolutions

What are your plans for the new year? Have you made resolutions? Are there some things about your life you want to improve? Or, have you made resolutions so many times before, resolutions you tried to accomplish but failed, that you don’t want to try . . . and fail . . . again?

This past week I spent quite a bit of time visiting folks in our local prisons. On Sunday evening, Karl Kopperud and Sven Maakestad and I led worship at the Palmer Correctional Center outside Sutton. About 8-10 men attended the worship and we studied the Christmas story for God’s guidance.

Then, on Tuesday I drove out to the Goose Creek Correctional Center at Point MacKenzie to visit two young men. We talked about how they were doing and I let them know they are not forgotten. However, we also talked about future plans.

You might think that for those in prison the reality of incarceration would take away motivation to plan for the future. But this past week I again found just the opposite to be true. On Sunday night as we spent time in Bible study during the worship service the men were focused on ways to grow in faithfulness as Christians. The men in worship knew their mistakes and wanted to improve in their walk with God.

But, I was even more impressed this week with the faith of the young men I visited at Point MacKenzie. Both of the young men were focused on building their future, even if their time out of prison was a long way off. They had plans. They were working on doing what they could while incarcerated to prepare themselves for the future. And they were looking forward to new behaviors they needed when they finally did get released back into society.

With both of these young men there were two steps that helped them in their focus.

First, contrary to popular opinion, both men willingly admitted their past transgressions and mistakes. Many people think that everyone in prison claims to be innocent. Actually, prison has a way of making people aware of their weakness and faults. And both of these young men have admitted their wrongs and the harm done by their past actions.

Secondly, both of these young men knew they needed help to grow, and they are looking to God for the help they need. They are trusting Him for forgiveness. They are trusting God for guidance and strength.

Actually, the reason we make resolutions is because our weaknesses often become problems that we need to fix. And, the best help we have comes from our Creator and Savior. The forgiveness of God assures us we are loved, even when we have failed Him and failed ourselves. The truth of God’s Word and the gift of the Holy Spirit help us to grow as God’s children.

After writing two letters to Christians facing persecution, Peter concludes his instruction with the following encouragement: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

In my regular prayers I pray for many who are struggling, people who want better lives. The best our lives can be is when we admit our struggles and look for God to help us be the people He created us to be.

After admitted past mistakes, the men I visited in prison this week had it right. They acknowledged their weakness, and their need for God and His forgiveness and help. As we begin a new year God has wisdom for us in His Word through Peter.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!”

Amen.

Jonathan Rockey is pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer.